The costs associated with generalized anxiety disorder

Abstract

The present study aimed to assess the extent to which individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) report health care use and occupational disability. Twenty-three adults with a primary diagnosis of GAD and 23 adults recruited from the general population were interviewed about their health care utilization and their work performance in the previous three months. Relative to nonclinical participants, individuals with GAD were more likely to report consultations with general practitioners and medical specialists and were more likely to use prescription and alternative medications. Individuals with GAD also reported that anxiety symptoms had interfered with their work productivity. The costs associated with health care use and work impairment were four times greater in the GAD group than in the nonclinical group. The present study confirmed that relative to the general nonclinical population, GAD is associated with excessive use of certain types of health care, and to a lesser extent, functional interference in the workplace.